Micromist and aerosol generators

ABSTRACT

A generator of micromist and aerosols is disclosed herein, and has a chamber for condensing and stabilizing a mist. The chamber is defined by a first dome which is disposed inside a second dome, so that there is provided an annular cavity between the two domes for housing electrical components. A baffle is provided inside the condensing chamber for limiting the size of particles expelled by the device.

I United States Patent [151 3,638,861

Nike] Feb. 1, 1972 [54] MICROMIST AND AEROSOL 2,157,416 5/1939 Kjos..239/216 X GENERATORS 2,874,797 2/1959 Flury ..239/135 X 3,188,0076/1965 Myklebust ..261/91 X [721 lnvemofl France 2,705,171 3/1955 Ziherl...239/70 x [73] Assigneez Laboramim phagogene, Nice, France 3,158,081 1H1964 Frost ..239/70 X [22] Filed: Mar. 24, 1969 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS [21] Appl. No.: 809,606 1,496,738 8/1967 France ..239/216Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King [30] Fol-mg Apphcauon pnomy Dam AssistantExaminer-Thomas C. Culp,.lr.

Mar. 25, 1968 France ..22218 l neyRobert E. Burns and Emmanuel J Lobato[52] U.S. C1 ..239/216, 239/135, 261/91, [57] ABSTRACT 51 1 1m Cl Agenerator of micromist and aerosols is disclosed herein, and [58] Field35 136 has a chamber for condensing and stabilizing a mist. The f 6 4chamber is defined by a first dome which is disposed inside a seconddome, so that there is provided an annular cavity between the two domesfor housing electrical components. A [56] References cued baffle isprovided inside the condensing chamber for limiting ED ST S PATENTS thesize of particles expelled by the device.

1,815,951 7/1931 Mills ..239/216 X 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 1 I97? SHEET 10F 2 MICROMIST AND AEROSOL GENERATORS The presentinvention relates to micromist and aerosol generators.

There are known aerosol generators essentially constituted by acontainer containing the liquid to be changed into aerosols, a blower orturbine for forming liquid particles or micelles which is controlled bya motor, an atomizing grill, a chamber in which is formed the mist, astarting capacitor for the motor housed within this chamber, and aheating device positioned in the outlet passage for the aerosols.

The invention proposes to improve such generators by increasing theiroutput, prolonging their action, and protecting their fragilecomponents.

According to the invention there is provided a device for producingaerosol mists, comprising a container for liquids to be converted intoan aerosol, blowing means for forming a mist of liquid particles fromthe liquid, an electric motor for driving the blowing means, a housingfor the motor, a first chamber for stabilizing the mist and beingdefined by the space between the housing and a first dome disposed overthe housing, and a second dome disposed over the first dome to define asecond chamber.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus made according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view in axial cross section of the micromistaerosol generators.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of a modification of an evacuation device.

There will be described now by way of nonlimiting example, oneembodiment of the subject matter of the invention.

The generator is essentially constituted by a container 1 receiving theliquid L to be atomized. The container 1 is surmounted by a synchronousmotor M having an atomizing disk 3 mounted at the lower end of the motorshaft Ma.

At the middle part of the atomizing disk 3 is a nozzle whose beak 4aplunges into container 1. On its lower side, tray 3 has flanges 3aforming a ventilator. A flange support 5 for the motor assembly M andits protective housing 7 has feet 5A having sufficient height forbearing into the bottom of container 1 and for forming an air passage P(along the arrows) between container 1 and support 5. The motor group isfixed to container 1 by a system of fasteners with removable springs. Onthe underside of the motor is recessed a ring 6 having on its side anatomizing grill 6a. The motor assembly is protected by housing 7.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the motor assembly ishoused in a first dome or envelope 16 providing a suitable volumebetween housing 7 and the said first dome 16. This space forms a chamberfor stabilizing the mist formed by mixing air and liquid particles. Thisannular chamber has a selection baffle 16a for stopping liquid particleswhich have too large a diameter. The chamber C terminates in an outlet,Ca for the micromists and/or aerosols. The first dome is itselfsurmounted by a second external dome 19 which protects it. An annularspace or outer chamber C2 is provided between the two domes 16 and 19for protecting the inner dome, and for housing a capacitor for the motorM starting which is thereby sheltered from heat, humidity and allcontact with the atomized substance. According to the invention, theelectrical components of the various other apparatus (motor connection,switches, luminous monitors, circuit interrupters, etc.) are alsolocated in chamber C2 for protection.

This arrangement ensures safety in the handling and operation of theapparatus.

The outlet Ca has a heating device 8 with an outlet 8a suitably shapedto allow maximum dispersion of aerosols and/or micromists. This heatingdevice can be formed by electrical resistances 9 above which ispositioned a baffle 20 for stopping particles having too large adiameter. The heating device makes for obtaining very selectiveaerosols. Such a heating device makes it possible to obtain at willaerosols having a size varying from 0.5 to 5 microns, (about 70 topercent) the greatest portion to the micelles developed ranging from 0.5to 1 micron.

This heating device is also characterized in that when it is notconnected to a power supply it mechanically selects cold atomizedproducts, the large drops being systematically eliminated with onlysuper selected aerosols being emitted.

The electrical circuit of heater 8 is such that it cannot operate unlessthe motor M is put into operation. A control opening 10 allows forchecking the operation of the said heater. A control button 11independent from the control but ton 12 of motor M allows for theoperation of heater 8. There can be added either a timer operating as acircuit interrupter or a fuse 13 between the two electrical circuits ofheater 8 and motor M.

The timer makes it possible to fix the duration of operation dependentupon various useful concentrations and the volume of the room to bedisinfected. An opening 14 allows for checking the overall operation ofthe apparatus.

In a modification of the preferred embodiment the heating device 8 inthe upper position of the dome can be replaced by a device baffles 21 inits lower part in order to break particles that are too large therebyallowing passage to only the smallest particles and dispersing these inall directions of the space to be treated by means of an acceleratorturbine 22 or an electrically or mechanically driven blower operated bymotor 23 for example, combined or not with heating.

It is understood that the blower blades 22a can either be disposed onthe periphery or on part of the shaft on the turbine, the object clearlybeing to permeate in a minimum time, the entire volume of the area to bedisinfected in order to accelerate the disinfection operation and thetreatments concerned with collective aerosol therapy, according to thenature of the substances to be micronized.

In summary, the importance and the advantages of aerosol and/ormicromist generators according to the invention:

The appearance of the apparatus is greatly improved;

The protection of the electrical equipment and of the condenser is inkeeping with required safety standards;

The output of the generators is considerably improved;

The generators can be used for maximum disinfection in the absence ofpeople by the production of finely divided thermal aerosols havingextended effect. The disinfection of an operating or contagious area canbe carried out at night after the departure of the surgical team; themicronized product being able to reach all the germs and pathogenicviruses which may be suspended in the atmosphere;

The generators can also be used to continuously disinfect in thepresence of human beings, between two operations, by the production ofthermal aerosols and this will eliminate all the microbal floraresulting from the coming and going of the personnel and doctors andconvection currents, etc. The generators according to the invention alsoproduce thermal micelles for treatment by collective aerosol therapy incontagious wards and during periods presumed to be favorable forepidemics;

The design of the heater makes it possible to obtain dry mists with agreater output than is possible with existing devices; and

The apparatus is readily transported by means of handle 17.

It goes without saying and as it already appears from what has gonebefore the invention is in no way limited to those modes of use northose embodiments of the various components which have been moreparticularly indicated; on the contrary it encompasses all variationsthereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for producing mists comprising a container for a liquid tobe changed into an aerosol mist, blowing means for forming a mist ofliquid particles from liquid withdrawn from said container, an electricmotor for driving said blowing means, a protective housing sealablyencasing said motor, a first dome disposed over said housing and spacedtherefrom to define a mist-stabilizing first annular chamber betweensaid dome and housing for receiving said mist formed by said blowingmeans, said first chamber having an aerosol outlet, a second domedisposed over said first dome and spaced therefrom to define a secondannular chamber within said device for protecting said first dome, andmeans for sealing said second dome to said first dome at said aerosoloutlet.

2. The invention as set forth in claim I. further comprising a startingcapacitor connected to said electric motor, said capacitor beingdisposed for protection within said second annular chamber.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a particleselection baffle means disposed within said first annular chamber forpreventing expulsion from the device of particles larger than apredetermined size.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising timingmeans connected to said device for regulating the duration of emissionofliquid particles.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising dispersionmeans disposed adjacent said aerosol outlet for dispersing the particlesof said aerosol mist.

6. A device for producing mists comprising a container for a liquid tobe changed into an aerosol mist, blowing means for forming a mist ofliquid particles from liquid withdrawn from said container, an electricmotor for driving said blowing means, a protective housing surroundingsaid motor, a first dome disposed over said housing and spaced therefromto define a mist-stabilizing first annular chamber between said dome andhousing for receiving said mist formed by said blowing means, said firstchamber having an aerosol outlet, dispersion means disposed adjacentsaid aerosol outlet for dispersing the particles of said aerosol mist,said dispersion means comprising a heating assembly including a bafflemounted on said device and disposed in the path of said particles, andelectrical resistance heating means mounted on said baffle foreonducting a heating current.

7. A device for producing mists comprising a container for a liquid tobe changed into an aerosol mist, blowing means for forming a mist ofliquid particles from liquid withdrawn from said container, an electricmotor for driving said blowing means, a protective housing surroundingsaid motor. a first dome disposed over said housing and spaced therefromto define a mist-stabilizing first annular chamber between said dome andhousing for receiving said mist formed by said blowing means, said firstchamber having an aerosol outlet. dispersion means disposed adjacentsaid aerosol outlet for dispersing the particles of said aerosol mist,said dispersion means comprising auxiliary blower means mounted adjacentsaid aerosol outlet for accelerating said liquid particles outwardly ofsaid device.

8. A device for producing mists as set forth in claim 1, in which saidcontainer opens upwardly, said blower means is disposed above saidcontainer and within said first chamber, and said aerosol outlet opensupwardly from said first chamber and is disposed above an upperextremity of said housing, thereby providing a vertical path forexpansion of said mist within said first chamber.

1. A device for producing mists comprising a container for a liquid tobe changed into an aerosol mist, blowing means for forming a mist ofliquid particles from liquid withdrawn from said container, an electricmotor for driving said blowing means, a protective housing sealablyencasing said motor, a first dome disposed over said housing and spacedtherefrom to define a miststabilizing first annular chamber between saiddome and housing for receiving said mist formed by said blowing means,said first chamber having an aerosol outlet, a second dome disposed oversaid first dome and spaced therefrom to define a second annular chamberwithin said device for protecting said first dome, and means for sealingsaid second dome to said first dome at said aerosol outlet.
 2. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a startingcapacitor connected to said electric motor, said capacitor beingdisposed for protection within said second annular chamber.
 3. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a particleselection baffle means disposed within said first annular chamber forpreventing expulsion from the device of particles larger than apredetermined size.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising timing means connected to said device for regulating theduration of emission of liquid particles.
 5. The invention as set forthin claim 1, further comprising dispersion means disposed adjacent saidaerosol outlet for dispersing the particles of said aerosol mist.
 6. Adevice for producing mists comprising a container for a liquid to bechanged into an aerosol mist, blowing means for forming a mist of liquidparticles from liquid withdrawn from said container, an electric motorfor driving said blowing means, a protective housing surrounding saidmotor, a first dome disposed over said housing and spaced therefrom todefine a mist-stabilizing first annular chamber between said dome andhousing for receiving said mist formed by said blowing means, said firstchamber having an aerosol outlet, dispersion means disposed adjacentsaid aerosol outlet for dispersing the particles of said aerosol mist,said dispersion means comprising a heating assembly including a bafflemounted on said device and disposed in the path of said particles, andelectrical resistance heating means mounted on said baffle forconducting a heating current.
 7. A device for producing mists comprisinga container for a liquid to be changed into an aerosol mist, blowingmeans for forming a mist of liquid particles from liquid withdrawn fromsaid container, an electric motor for driving said blowing means, aprotective housing surrounding said motor, a first dome disposed oversaid housing and spaced therefrom to define a mist-stabilizing firstannular chamber between said dome and housing for receiving said mistformed by said blowing means, said first chamber having an aerosoloutlet, dispersion means disposed adjacent said aerosol outlet fordispersing the particles of said aerosol mist, said dispersion meanscomprising auxiliary blower means mounted adjacent said aerosol outletfor accelerating Said liquid particles outwardly of said device.
 8. Adevice for producing mists as set forth in claim 1, in which saidcontainer opens upwardly, said blower means is disposed above saidcontainer and within said first chamber, and said aerosol outlet opensupwardly from said first chamber and is disposed above an upperextremity of said housing, thereby providing a vertical path forexpansion of said mist within said first chamber.